Novachov to Illinois .

Novachkov to Train in Champaign

Former Cal-Poly Mustang looks to train for Olympics

Boris Novachkov will train locally and assist the Illini wrestling team during the upcoming season.

June 14, 2012

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - University of Illinois head coach Jim Heffernan announced that three-time All-American Boris Novachkov will train locally and assist the Illini wrestling team during the upcoming season. Novachkov comes to Illinois from Cal-Poly, where he wrestled for the Mustangs from 2007-2012.
"Boris (Novachkov) will be a great asset to the program and community," Heffernan said. "Having someone with realistic goals of being an Olympian is a very positive thing for our program. In addition to his training, Boris will assist the program administratively in our daily operations."
Novachkov was Cal Poly's first three-time NCAA Division I All-American with his third-place finish in this year's national championships (141 pounds), placing runner-up last year at 141 pounds and seventh at 133 pounds in 2010. During his four-years as a Mustang, Novachkov posted a 121-33 record and was a two-time Pac-12 champion in 2010 and 2011 and was conference runner-up this year and third in 2008. He was also named Cal-Poly's Male Athlete of the Year and shared the Mustang's Most Outstanding Wrestler Award.
"I'm excited to become a part of the Illini wrestling program," Novachkov said. "It's a great opportunity for me to grow as a wrestler and continue to do what I love to do. I'm looking forward to training for the world and Olympic teams as well as help the team reach their goals."

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